Environmental Management System

(EMS)

EMS Definition

An EMS is a set of management processes and procedures that allows an organization to

evaluate, control, and reduce the environmental impacts of its activities, products, and services and operate with greater efficiency and control.

Greater efficiency and control

Reduce environmental impacts

Environmental stewardship

What is an EMS ?

Phase I: Getting Started

Phase II: Plan

Phase III: Do

Phase IV: Check and Act

PLAN

CHECK

DOACT

4 Distinct Phases

Phase I: Getting Ready

Phase II: Plan

Phase III: Do

Phase IV: Check& Act

Environmental Policy, Legal Requirements, Significant Aspects, Objectives & Targets,Environmental Management ProgramsStructure and Responsibility, Operational Control, Training, Documentation, Document Control, Communication

Monitoring and Measurement, EMS Audit, Corrective and Preventive Action, Records, Management Review

Designating an EMR and Core Team, Management Preparation

Why Implement an EMS?

Credibility with Citizens and Regulators

Positive Public Image Competitiveness Better Management of Resources

What are the Benefits that have been seen with EMS Adoption?

Improved communication Increased operational efficiency and

consistency Improved environmental

management Improved relationships with

regulators Cost savings

17 Key Elements of an EMS

Environmental policyEnvironmental aspectsLegal and other requirementsObjectives & targetsEnv. management programsStructure and responsibilityOperational controlTraining

CommunicationDocument, records, and doc controlEmergency prep and responseMonitoring and measurement Nonconformance & corrective and preventative actionEMS audit

The commonly used framework for an EMS is the one developed by the International Organization for Standardization(ISO) for the ISO 14001 standard, issued in 1996.

Basic Pieces of an EMS

Reviewing the organization’s environmental goals

Analyzing environmental impacts and legal requirements

Setting environmental objectives and targets Establishing programs to meet objectives and

targets Monitoring and measuring progress Training Reviewing progress and making improvements

EMS Roles and Responsibilities

Top Management and

Steering Committee

EMSManagement

Representative

Implementation Team

All Employees in the Organization

Core Team

What are the keys to successful Implementation?

Top Management Support Dedicated Resources Strong Core and / or

Implementation Teams Training